Scientific Definition
Outcomes depend on aligning choices, not on who 'wins.'
Plain-English Definition
Outcomes depend on aligning choices, not on who 'wins.'
Feynman Explanation
Driving on the right is correct only because everyone else is.
Core Principle
Outcomes depend on aligning choices, not on who 'wins.'
Mechanisms
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Inputs (Triggers)
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Outputs (Behaviors)
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Behavioral Signature
Driving on the right is correct only because everyone else is.
Examples
- File formats, charging ports, time zones — pure coordination.
- Internal tools fail when each team picks a different standard.
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Famous Experiments
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Design Principles
- Pick a focal point fast; switching costs grow non-linearly.
Measurement Approaches
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Evidence
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The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Pick a focal point fast; switching costs grow non-linearly.
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Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
Individually rational choices that produce a collectively bad outcome.
People consume shared resources without contributing.
Coordination problem where cooperation pays more but defection is safer.
Clear ownership of outcomes, not just tasks.
Asymmetric information attracts the worst counterparties.
We defer to perceived expertise, rank, or uniform.
Vastness that exceeds existing schemas dissolves the self briefly.
Negative feedback returns a system toward a target.
Membership in a group is a baseline human need.
We seek tasks where we feel effective and improving.
Competing loyalties that compromise judgment.
Value is judged against whatever sits next to it.